Christmas Tree Solutions anyone?

Well it's that time of year to be picking out a tree and start the decorating process. However this time last year, Bella was 5 months old and in an ex-pen and DH was home all day to supervise when she wasn't. So being as she is 60 pds and will climb, hop or knock down any barrier to get to her desired treasure, what solutions have those of you with Bella type dogs done to protect your tree? We always get a real one, and one that stands at least 9-10 feet tall, so there's also the fear of it falling on her too.

The area is too big to pen, and open to other rooms in the house. Maybe a gallon of Bitter Lemon???

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Permalink Reply by Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*() on November 28, 2011 at 5:59pm

I agree about the vet ER. I am just hoping I am still a little smarter than her and can have a tree and keep her safe! Might be wishful thinking. Not having a tree is just not an option tho. I hope.

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Permalink Reply by Dori & Rua on November 28, 2011 at 5:06am

Rua was only 5 months old last Christmas, so we put up a little 4' tree in a niche. I am really sad that I am not going to have a big (11') Christmas tree this year, but our house is up for sale and I don't have the desire.

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Permalink Reply by Colleen, Jake & Baxter on November 28, 2011 at 5:14am

I was at an emergency vet's one time with my own sick animal when my visit was interrupted because a dog had just come in that had eaten glass ornaments off a Christmas tree.....

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Permalink Reply by Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*() on November 28, 2011 at 6:07pm

I think putting ornaments up high is definitely a must. We don't have many glass ones, but I don't want to tempt her with anything shiney and bright.

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Permalink Reply by Jane, Guinness and Murphy on November 28, 2011 at 5:19am

We were able to train our guys not to go near the tree, so we've been able to have one each year. But if I thought there was any chance that they might get to the ornaments and eat them I would not have the tree. Glass ornaments especially are very dangerous, and I just wouldn't take the chance. Also, when we leave them alone in the house we are able to gate off the living room so they won't be tempted.

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Permalink Reply by Amy, Cubbie & Ollie on November 28, 2011 at 5:21am

we put our trees up last night and decided to secure the tree to the wall this year. We haven't had any problems with Cubbie in the past (other than wanting to always lay under the tree) but wasn't sure what would happen this year when Ollie and Cubbie decide to race around the family room. We put a little hook in the wall and wrapped some twine around the center of the tree and on the hook. I don't think it will go anywhere now.

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Permalink Reply by Christine & Shelby on November 28, 2011 at 7:50am

My Shelby is now two... and this is the first year that she'll be unsupervised with a tree. I brought her home on December 27th of 2009.... constant supervision and or in her crate/x-pen when unable to be supervised. Last year I didn't put up a tree since I had just had back surgery. So this past Friday evening - out came the tree and decorations. I had some friends help me get everything up and together. Shelby was curious, but really just walked up to sniff the lower ornaments. I told her "gentle" initally as she was investigating and then "leave it" and she's left the tree alone. She is not confined at night and has house freedome when I am away - and so far so good. Today is my first day back at work since the tree went up... so hopefully all will be well when I get home (fake tree). Fortunately - Shelby is not a destroyer of items.... all her toys (even those from her puppy days are in tact! Good luck... hope you find a suitable solution!

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer,Chloe & Myla on November 28, 2011 at 8:39am

I was sitting here this morning deciding what to do this year. When Chloe was a baby she got into everything so we put the tree in a small hallway by the front door and attached 2 baby gates together and blocked the tree off. Not the prettiest thing but it worked out ok. Last year we didn't put one up because we were trying to take the crates away. This year unfortunately I do not have work to go to and would be home most of the time to watch thema nd train them to leave it. It's the times that we are away that worries me. (we would still use the gate) We do not have glass ornaments, just stuffed type or wooden. We may have an early Christmas here with my cousins and aunts otherwise I would just skip it.